Supporting and positioning dolly for dual wheels

ABSTRACT

A dual wheel assembly handling dolly for use by a single workman, constructed to supportively cradle, transport and position the assembly whether removing or applying the same. It comprises a knockdown roller supported U-frame, a pivoted manually maneuverable detachable sectional handle and wheel contacting adapter plates. A first adapter plate is seated and adjustably bolted atop one leg of the frame. The second adapter plate is spaced from and parallel with the first plate, is hingedly mounted on the other leg, sloped inwardly and downwardly and is provided at a rearward transverse end with a right angled lever. This lever has a hand-grip and is provided with a slidingly mounted cleat which provides a lever propping chock and is adjustably engageable with the bight portion of the frame.

llnited States Patent 91 Reznicek 1 SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING DOLLY FORDUAL WHEELS [76] Inventor: Frank Reznicek, 1412 7th Street,

Columbus, Nebr. 68601 [22] Filed: July 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 145,453

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J.Oresky Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson [451 May29,1973

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A dual wheel assembly handling dolly for use by a singleworkman, constructed to supportively cradle, transport and position theassembly whether removing or applying the same. It comprises a knockdownroller supported U-frame, a pivoted manually maneuverable detachablesectional handle and wheel contacting adapter plates. A first adapterplate is seated and adjustably bolted atop one leg of the frame. Thesecond adapter plate is spaced from and parallel with the first plate,is hingedly mounted on the other leg, sloped inwardly and downwardly andis provided at a rearward transverse end with a right angled lever. Thislever has a hand-grip and is provided with a slidingly mounted cleatwhich provides a lever propping chock and is adjustably engageable withthe bight portion of the frame.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING DOLLY FOR DUALWHEELS This invention relates to manually maneuverable mobile truckswhich are commonly used by a single workman when he is called upon tomount or demount heavy dual wheel assemblies, and pertains to animproved adaptation herein designated as a wheel cradling, transportingand handling dolly.

More specifically, the invention herein disclosed has to do with astructurally and functionally novel U- shaped frame, that is, a framecharacterized by separable and connectible component parts, the opposedlegs being provided with novelly constructed adapter plates, onenormally stationary and one relatively movable, and handle means of asectional attachable and detachable type.

For general background information, it may well be stated that the dollyherein revealed is an improvement, broadly speaking, on my prior U.S.Pat. No. 3,463,337 covering a Wheel Assembly Supporting and PositioningCart and which is likewise characterized by a manually controllablemobile frame embodying a yoke with spaced arms or legs, having push-pullhandle means, but which is otherwise sn'ucturally distinct anddifferent.

More explicitly and for further background information the reader, if sodesired, may refer to the dual wheel handling and lifting wheelsupported device disclosed in a patent granted to George M. Olsen, US.Pat. No. 2,231,192 and a U-frame type so-called wheel lift disclosed inHarris L. Molden, et al., US. Pat. No. 3,301,419. These referencepatents are cited here as exemplary, broadly stated, of the art to whichtheinvention relates.

Briefly the invention is characterized by a wheel assembly cradling,transporting and positioning dolly comprising a manually maneuverableframe which is U-shaped in plan and embodies a pair of spaced parallelcoplanar legs having forward ends provided with free turning surfacecontacting .rollers and rearward ends joined together by an interveningbight portion. A median part of this bight portion is provided on anunderneath side with a balanced, that is, centralized swivelly mountedsurface contacting caster, more particularly, a caster which is orientedand coordinated with the forward rollers. A push-pull handle has aforward end operatively joined to a median portion of the bight portionand a rearward end which is provided with balanced handgrips. A firstadapter plate is carried by one of the legs and has an inwardlongitudinal edge on which minimal surface portions of the wheel tiresof the wheel assembly are adapted to supportively rest. A second adapterplate is cooperate with the first adapter plate and is carried by theother leg of the frame. The second adapter plate has an upper flatsurface atop which the tread portions of the tires are adapted to restin a manner that the overall wheel assembly can be cradled for handlingneeds on the frame.

In carrying out the principles of the invention the first adapter plateis seated and adjustably mounted atop the leg with which it iscooperable, and, in fact, is commensurate in length with that particularleg. The inward longitudinal edge is shiftably adjustable toward andfrom the second adapter plate. The second adapter plate is equal inlength to the first adapter plate, has an outward longitudinal edgewhich is hingedly supported and an inward longitudinal edge which isswingable vertically relative to the stationary lonw'tudinal inner edgeof the first adapter plate.

Then, too, novelty is predicted on providing the hinged adapter platewith a lifting and lowering lever whose longitudinal axis is disposed atright angles to the lengthwise dimension of the second adapter plate.The lever is parallel with and proximal to the bight portion of theU-frame and has one end fixed to a rearward end portion of the secondadapter plate and the other end free and provided with a lifting andlowering handle and a slidingly mounted cleat which serves as aleverangle regulating and maintaining chock.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view on a relatively small scale showing jack-supported dualwheels on a vehicle and also showing the dolly in position for eitherapplying or removing the wheels as the case may be.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the dolly by itself with the wheelassembly omitted.

FIG. 3 is a central longitudinal section on a suitably enlarged scalewith parts in section and elevation taken approximately on the plane ofthe central section line 33 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of theindicating arrows.

FIG. 4 is a view at right angles to FIG. 3 taken on the plane of thesection line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a detail section on the plane of the section line 55 of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a detail section on a suitably enlarged scale taken on theplane of the section line 66 of FIG. 2.

With reference to the views singly and collectively and particularly toFIG. 2, the aforementioned knockdown U-shaped frame is denoted by thenumeral 3 and comprises three complemental angle irons which conjointlyprovide a pair of spaced parallel coplanar legs and an intervening andconnecting bight portion. One leg, a simple angle iron is denoted at theleft in FIG. 2 by the numeral 10). The other angle iron leg is denotedat the right by the numeral 12. The connecting angle iron, whichconstitutes the aforementioned bight portion is denoted by the numeral14. It will also be observed that the rearward end portions of the legsor angle irons 10 and 12, that is, the ends 16 are separably bolted asat 18 to the coacting end portions of the angle iron 14. The top flangeof the angle iron 14 is provided with upstanding lugs 20 which serve toaccommodate bolts 22 which, in turn, connect the diverging forward ends24 of the handle sections 26 and 28. These handle sections are separablybolted together at 30 and the parts when assembled provide anappropriate detachably and pivotally mounted handle 32. The handlegripsare denoted at 34.

The thus constructed U-frame 8 is of knock-down construction andpreferably made up of coacting angle irons as shown. Brackets 38 (FIG.2) mounted on the respective transverse end portions of the verticalflange of the angle iron 10 are provided and serve the purpose shown.Rearwardly of these brackets free-turning forward rollers or wheels 40are provided. These two wheels 40 cooperate with the swivelly mountedcaster wheel 42 which is centrally positioned thus providing a wheelsupported knock-down frame and a sectional knock-down push-pull handle.

The means on which the tread portions of the wheels of the wheelassembly A are mounted are carried by the respective angle iron legs and12. Referring first to the angle iron 12, in FIGS. 2 and 4, for example,the numeral 44 designates a rectangular flat-faced first adapter plate,that is a plate which is commensurate in length with the leg 12 but isof a width greater than the top flange of the leg, the outer edgeportion 46 resting atop the leg flange and being separably andadjustably bolted thereto as at 48. Bolt holes 50 are provided foradjustment needs. The inner edge portion 52 overhangs the top flange 54in FIG. 2 in a manner to support a minimal tread portion of the tires asbrought out in phantom lines in FIG. 4.

The second oriented and coordinating adapter plate instead of occupyinga horizontal plane normally assumes an inwardly and downwardly inclinedposition and is denoted by the numeral 56. The lower lengthwise orlongitudinal edge 58 is adjacent and approximately parallel to thesupport surface B (FIGS. 3 and 4). The upper longitudinal edge 60 hassuitable journals which are journaled for rotation in the bearingbrackets 38. The rearward transverse edge of this liftable and lowerableadapter plate is provided with a rigid lifting and lowering lever 64having one end portion 66 bolted at 68 atop the plate 56. The lever isdisposed at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of the plate 56 andis parallel to a forward edge portion of the bight portion 14. The freeend of the lever is provided with an appropriate handgrip 70. Thishandle-equipped portion serves to accommodate a cleat which is centrallyapertured as at 74 and this cleat, in turn, serves as a chock and can beslid along the top flange of the angle iron 14 to prop the hingedadapter plate in the position desired to facilitate lifting and loweringthe wheel assembly A.

In practice the wheel assembly A is elevated by a jack C in the mannershown in FIG. 1. Thus elevated the adapter-equipped arms or legs 10 and12 can straddle the tread portions of the dual tires. The handle means32 is maneuverable to actuate the thus constructed mobile carriage ordolly. The adapter plate 44 can be shiftably adjusted in any suitablemanner. The companion adapter plate 56 is properly cooperable and isliftable and lowerable to receive segmental portions of the tires in themanner shown in phantom lines for example in FIGS. 3 and 4. The chock 72serves to hold the lever in an elevated position and also the hingedadapter plate in what is believed to be a self-evident manner.

Emphasis is placed on the construction of the truck or frame 8 ofseparable and connectible angle irons. Also for convenience andcompactness the handle means 32 is of sectional and knock-down anddetachable construction.

FIG. 5 shows the supportive feature of the chock cooperating with thetop flange of the bight portion 14. FIG. 6 shows the manner in which theseparable and connectible section of the handle is associated with thehandgrip means.

It is submitted that a careful consideration of the views of the drawingin conjunction with the specification and the invention as claimed willenable the reader to obtain a complete and comprehensive understandingof the invention, features and advantages, and manner of use.Accordingly, a more extended description is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For ready handling by a single workman, a dual vehicle wheelcradling, transporting and positioning dolly comprising, in combination,a manually maneuverable frame U-shaped in plan and embodying a pair ofspaced parallel coplanar legs having forward ends provided with freeturning surface contacting rollers and rearward ends joined together byan intervening bight portion, a median portion of said bight portionbeing provided on an underneath side with a swivelly mounted surfacecontacting caster which is oriented and coordinated with said roller, apush-pull handle having a forward end operably joined to the medianportion of said bight portion and a rearward end provided with balancedhandgrips, a first adapter plate carried by one of said legs and havingan inward longitudinal edge on which minimal surface portions of thewheel tires are adapted to rest, a second adapter plate cooperating withsaid first adapter plate and carried by the other leg, said secondadapter plate having an upper flat surface atop which tread portions ofsaid tires are adapted to rest in a manner that the overall wheelassembly can be cradled for handling needs on said frame, said firstadapter plate being adjustably mounted on said one leg, commensurate inlength with said one leg, said inward longitudinal edge being shiftablyadjustable toward and from said second adapter plate, said secondadapter plate being equal in length to the length of said first adapterplate and also said other leg, and having an outward longitudinal edgewhich is hingedly supported and an inward longitudinal edge which isswingable vertically relative to the inward longitudinal edge of saidfirst adapter plate, and a lifting and lowering lever whose longitudinalaxis is disposed at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of saidsecond adapter plate, said lever being parallel and proximal to saidbight portion and having one end fixed to a rearward end portion of saidsecond adapter plate and the other end free and provided with anaccessible handgrip.

2. The dolly defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein a cleat isprovided, said cleat being centrally apertured, slidingly mounted onsaid lever and slidingly supported atop said bight portion and providinga lever-angle regulating and maintaining chock.

3. The dolly defined in claim 1, and wherein said frame is constructedfrom several similarly formed angle irons, the rearward ends of saidleg-forming angle irons being separable secured to coacting ends of thebight-forming angle iron, whereby said frame is knockdown inconstruction for compactness and convenience, and also wherein saidhandle is made of separable half-sections and embodies a yoke which isseparably and pivotally mounted on said bight portion.

4. For expedient handling by a single workman, a dual vehicle wheelcradling, transporting and positioning dolly comprising, in combination,a manually maneuverable frame U-shaped in plan and embodying a pair oflike coplanar spaced parallel angle irons constituting companion leg andhaving forward ends equipped with complemental free turning surfacecontacting rollers, a third angle iron interposed between the rearwardends of said first-named angle irons and separably fastened at its endsto said rearward ends, a surface contacting caster swivelly mounted on amedian underneath part of said third angle iron, a pushpull handlehaving a yoke at its forward end pivotally and detachably joined to amedian portion of said third angle iron, a first adapter plate carriedby one of said legs and having an inward longitudinal edge on whichminimal surface portions of the wheel tires are adapted to rest, asecond adapter plate cooperating with said first adapter plate andcarried by the other leg, said second adapter plate having an upper flatsurface atop which tread portions of said tires are adapted to rest in amanner that the overall wheel assembly can be cradled for handling onsaid frame, said first adapter plate being adjustably mounted on saidone leg and commensurate in length with said one leg, said inwardlongitudinal edge being shiftably adjustable toward and from the secondadapter plate, the second adapter plate being equal in length to thelength of the first adapter plate and also said other leg, and having anoutward longitudinal edge which is hingedly supported and an inwardlongitudinal edge which is swingable vertically relative to the inwardrelatively fixed longitudinal edge of the first adapter plate, and alifting and lowering lever whose longitudinal axis is disposed at rightangles to the lengthwise dimension of said second adapter plate, saidlever being parallel and proximal to said bight portion and having oneend fixed to a rearward end portion of said second adapter plate and theother end free and provided with an accessible handgrip.

5. The dolly defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein a cleat isprovided, said cleat being centrally apertured, slidingly mounted onsaid lever and slidingly supported atop said bight portion and providinga lever-angle regulating and maintaining chock.

6. The dolly defined in and according to claim 4 and, in combination, acentrally apertured cleat adjustably mounted on the free end portion ofsaid lever and man ually adjustable toward and from said handgrip, saidcleat having a lower marginal edge shiftably but retentively supportedatop a surface of said bight portion and providing a lever-angleadjusting and maintaining chock.

7. For ready use by a single workman, a dual wheel assembly cradling,transporting and handling dolly comprising a manually maneuverable frameshaped in plan and embodying a pair of spaced parallel coplanarcompanion legs having forward leading ends provided with opposed freeturning surface contacting rollers and rearward ends joined together bya cooperating bight portion, a median part of said bight portion beingprovided on an underneath side with a swivelly mounted surfacecontacting caster oriented and coordinated with said rollers, apush-pull handle having a forward yoke hingedly operatively joined tosaid median part of said bight portion and a rearward end provided withconveniently usable handgrips, a first adapter plate, said plate beingrectangular in plan, having flat surfaces, one flat surface being seatedand adjustably and removably mounted atop one of said legs and having aninward longitudinal edge projecting and on which minimal surfaceportions of the wheels are adapted to rest, and a second adapter platestructurally similar to and normally located in a plane below the planeof the first adapter plate and cooperating therewith, said secondadapter plate having a flat surface atop which tread portions of saidwheels are adapted to rest in a manner that the overall wheel assemblycan be cradled between said adapter plate for handling needs, said firstadapter plate being commensurate in length with the length of said oneleg, said inward longitudinal edge being shiftably adjustable toward andfrom said second adapter plate, said second adapter plate being equal inlength to the length of said first adapter plate and also said other legand having an outward longitudinal edge which is hingedly supported onsaid other leg and an inward longitudinal edge which is swingablevertically relative to the inward longitudinal edge of said firstadapter plate, and a lifting and lowering lever disposed at right anglesto the lengthwise dimension of said second adapter plate, said leverbeing parallel with and proximal to said bight portion and having oneend fixed to a rearward end portion of said second adapter plate, theother end being free and provided with an accessible handgrip, and acleat slidingly mounted on said lever forwardly of said handgrip andmanually adjustable toward and from the handgrip and having a lowermarginal edge shiftably but retentively supported atop a surface of saidbight portion and constituting a leverangle adjusting and maintainingchock.

1. For ready handling by a single workman, a dual vehicle wheelcradling, transporting and positioning dolly comprising, in combination,a manually maneuverable frame U-shaped in plan and embodying a pair ofspaced parallel coplanar legs having forward ends provided with freeturning surface contacting rollers and rearward ends joined together byan intervening bight portion, a median portion of said bight portionbeing provided on an underneath side with a swivelly mounted surfacecontacting caster which is oriented and coordinated with said roller, apush-pull handle having a forward end operably joined to the medianportion of said bight portion and a rearward end provided with balancedhandgrips, a first adapter plate carried by one of said legs and havingan inward longitudinal edge on which minimal surface portions of thewheel tires are adapted to rest, a second adapter plate cooperating withsaid first adapter plate and carried by the other leg, said secondadapter plate having an upper flat surface atop which tread portions ofsaid tires are adapted to rest in a manner that the overall wheelassembly can be cradled for handling needs on said frame, said firstadapter plate being adjustably mounted on said one leg, commensurate inlength with said one leg, said inward longitudinal edge being shiftablyadjustable toward and from said second adapter plate, said secondadapter plate being equal in length to the length of said first adapterplate and also said other leg, and having an outward longitudinal edgewhich is hingedly supported and an inward longitudinal edge which isswingable vertically relative to the inward longitudinal edge of saidfirst adapter plate, and a lifting and lowering lever whose longitudinalaxis is disposed at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of saidsecond adapter plate, said lever being parallel and proximal to saidbight portion and having one end fixed to a rearward end portion of saidsecond adapter plate and the other end free and provided with anaccessible handgrip.
 2. The dolly defined in and according to claim 1,and wherein a cleat is provided, said cleat being centrally apertured,slidingly mounted on said lever and slidingly supported atop said bightportion and providing a lever-angle regulating and maintaining chock. 3.The dolly defined in claim 1, and wherein said frame is constructed fromseveral similarly formed angle irons, the rearward ends of saidleg-forming angle irons being separable secured to coacting ends of thebight-forming angle iron, whereby said frame is knock-down inconstruction for compactness and convenience, and also wherein saidhandle is made of separable half-sections and embodies a yoke which isseparably and pivotally mounted on said bight portion.
 4. For expedienthandling by a single workman, a dual vehicle wheel cradling,transporting and positioning dolly comprising, in combination, amanually maneuverable frame U-shaped in plan and embodying a pair oflike coplanar spaced parallel angle irons constituting companion legsand having forward ends equipped with complemental free turning surfacecontacting rollers, a third angle iron interposed between the rearwardends of said first-named angle irons and separably fastened at its endsto said rearward ends, a surface contacting caster swivelly mounted on amedian underneath part of said third angle iron, a push-pull handlehaving a yoke at its forward end pivotally and detachably joined to amedian portion of said third angle iron, a first adapter plate carriedby one of said legs and having an inward longitudinal edge on whichminimal surface portions of the wheel tires are adapted to rest, asecond adapter plate cooperating with said first adapter plate andcarried by the other leg, said second adapter plate having an upper flatsurface atop which tread portions of said tires are adapted to rest in amanner that the overall wheel assembly can be cradled for handling onsaid frame, said first adaPter plate being adjustably mounted on saidone leg and commensurate in length with said one leg, said inwardlongitudinal edge being shiftably adjustable toward and from the secondadapter plate, the second adapter plate being equal in length to thelength of the first adapter plate and also said other leg, and having anoutward longitudinal edge which is hingedly supported and an inwardlongitudinal edge which is swingable vertically relative to the inwardrelatively fixed longitudinal edge of the first adapter plate, and alifting and lowering lever whose longitudinal axis is disposed at rightangles to the lengthwise dimension of said second adapter plate, saidlever being parallel and proximal to said bight portion and having oneend fixed to a rearward end portion of said second adapter plate and theother end free and provided with an accessible handgrip.
 5. The dollydefined in and according to claim 4, and wherein a cleat is provided,said cleat being centrally apertured, slidingly mounted on said leverand slidingly supported atop said bight portion and providing alever-angle regulating and maintaining chock.
 6. The dolly defined inand according to claim 4 and, in combination, a centrally aperturedcleat adjustably mounted on the free end portion of said lever andmanually adjustable toward and from said handgrip, said cleat having alower marginal edge shiftably but retentively supported atop a surfaceof said bight portion and providing a lever-angle adjusting andmaintaining chock.
 7. For ready use by a single workman, a dual wheelassembly cradling, transporting and handling dolly comprising a manuallymaneuverable frame U-shaped plan and embodying a pair of spaced parallelcoplanar companion legs having forward leading ends provided withopposed free turning surface contacting rollers and rearward ends joinedtogether by a cooperating bight portion, a median part of said bightportion being provided on an underneath side with a swivelly mountedsurface contacting caster oriented and coordinated with said rollers, apush-pull handle having a forward yoke hingedly operatively joined tosaid median part of said bight portion and a rearward end provided withconveniently usable handgrips, a first adapter plate, said plate beingrectangular in plan, having flat surfaces, one flat surface being seatedand adjustably and removably mounted atop one of said legs and having aninward longitudinal edge projecting and on which minimal surfaceportions of the wheels are adapted to rest, and a second adapter platestructurally similar to and normally located in a plane below the planeof the first adapter plate and cooperating therewith, said secondadapter plate having a flat surface atop which tread portions of saidwheels are adapted to rest in a manner that the overall wheel assemblycan be cradled between said adapter plate for handling needs, said firstadapter plate being commensurate in length with the length of said oneleg, said inward longitudinal edge being shiftably adjustable toward andfrom said second adapter plate, said second adapter plate being equal inlength to the length of said first adapter plate and also said other legand having an outward longitudinal edge which is hingedly supported onsaid other leg and an inward longitudinal edge which is swingablevertically relative to the inward longitudinal edge of said firstadapter plate, and a lifting and lowering lever disposed at right anglesto the lengthwise dimension of said second adapter plate, said leverbeing parallel with and proximal to said bight portion and having oneend fixed to a rearward end portion of said second adapter plate, theother end being free and provided with an accessible handgrip, and acleat slidingly mounted on said lever forwardly of said handgrip andmanually adjustable toward and from the handgrip and having a lowermarginal edge shiftably but retentively supported atop a surface of saidbight portion and constituting a lever-angle adjusting and maintainingchock.